Posts Tagged ‘Barry Bennett’

Secretary of State Ross Miller is seeking a temporary restraining order to stop the TV airing of a pro-Sandoval political ad, according to this oh-no-you-di’n'tpress release re: the Alliance for America’s Future (AFF) refusal to properly register itself as a PAC.

Ross says he got a cool response from the group’s attorney re: complying with Nevada law.

Says Ross:

“Nevada election law is very explicit. In order to spend money on TV ads in an effort to influence the outcome of an election, you must file as a PAC. Here we have an out-of-state group that’s unwilling to fill out a simple two-page registration form, as does every other PAC that legally conducts political activity in this state,” Secretary Miller said. “It’s my job as Chief Elections Officer to enforce state law that provides voters transparency in election activity. This shadowy, out-of state group, which won’t identify the individuals behind it, leaves me no choice but to go to court to force them into compliance.”

The Secretary of State’s Office will seek injunctive relief in Carson City’s First Judicial Court.

Here’s what (little) I know about AFF:

GOP operative Barry Bennett (Ohio) recently left his position as chief of staff to Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, to help launch the organization. The mission is to help Republicans in key races in key states such as Ohio, Arkansas and Nevada. Bennet’s partner is Mary Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

I’m guessing the refusal to comply with our rules is intentional in order to create some press for the brand new PAC. The court will order cessation of the TV ad until they register; they will immediately register; the ad (or a new one) will go back up; and everyone will know their name.

Update (6:36 PM): A reader just pointed out, though, that headlines like this one from the RJ are not really a good thing for your candidate: